From Market to Dumping Ground - Matheran Waste Cart Procession

The Matheran Waste Cart Procession was created as a direct response to the environs of Matheran - meaning "forest on the forehead" an eco sensitive Bombay Hill station “discovered by Hugh Poyntz Malet, the then district collector of Thane district in May 1850. Today Matheran is a very curious place, without modes of popular transport cars, bikes, busses... the tradition of riding by horseback, hand pulled cart or walking prevails and impacts positively on daily life, an inviting lush destination popular with visitors. On the other hand - the impacts and residues of human waste are evident throughout the delicate habitat. Plummeting breath taking views into Matheran’s green valleys are belied by accumulated carpets of thrown plastic bottles, food packets, snack plates... The evidence of a contemporary human presence carelessly left in the wake of their collective daily life. From Market to Dumping Ground - Matheran Waste Cart Procession spurred from the context of life in Matheran Hills, a performance action, which involved high-jacking a working rubbish collection cart, and honouring its workers and the process of waste collection by unfolding a series of a sacred rituals throughout the procession from the main market place to the Matheran Dumping Ground. We created garments from silver plates, leaf plates and recycled fabrics; we decorated Jharoo with gold and silver foils and ribbons, and used them like warrior’s arms or ceremonial staffs. Our heads were adorned with a crowning 3rd eye for nature something befitting the forest on the forehead and empowering the inner eco- warrior and garbage goddess queen.